Heading to the airport? Key tips for a busy holiday travel weekend

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – If you’re traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, be sure to give yourself extra time at the airport.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation is warning travelers of increased passengers and limited parking at Hawaii’s five busiest airports:

• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu (HNL)
• Kahului Airport (OGG)
• Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA)
• Hilo International Airport (ITO)
• Lihue Airport (LIH)

The busiest travel days are expected to be Wednesday, Nov. 27, and Sunday, Dec. 1, with peak times at these airports between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Kahului Airport may see an increase in travelers due to the Maui Invitational, which runs Nov. 25 through 27 at the Lahaina Civic Center, officials added.

HDOT offers the following tips for air travelers:

Get there early. Plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to your scheduled flight departure for mainland or international flights, and 90 minutes early for interisland flights to allow sufficient time to complete every step of the travel process including finding a place to park, checking luggage and getting through security.

Check for updates. Check with your airline on the status of your flight, including any delays and gate assignments, as well as baggage claim area if you’re picking up arriving passengers.

Have a parking plan. If you’re using the airport’s public parking garage, arrive early and allow for additional walking time to the check-in lobby as some lots are farther from the main terminal than others.

Parking lots fill up quickly over the holidays, particularly at the Lihue and Hilo airports.

The maximum parking rate for a 24-hour period at HNL is $25. The maximum parking rate for a 24-hour period at neighbor island airports is $24.

Learn more about parking at each airport:

Lock your vehicle. Do not leave keys, valuables, or the parking ticket in the vehicle while parked in an airport lot.

Know the rules and what to expect when going through security. Learn more about the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)’s security checkpoints and additional TSA resources here.

Once you’re through security, feel free to enjoy a variety of restaurants, cafes and retail shops, as well as cultural and art exhibits located throughout the airport.

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